Some years ago, no one spoke about global warming or the accelerated disappearance of wild plant and animal species. Nonetheless, during the last 100 years, the index of destruction in our planet has exceeded that which had occurred during the last 10,000 years. Problem such as deforestation, fires, pollution, over-exploitation of water, the growth of cities, demographic explosion, are, among many others, factors that are affecting the well-being of nature and the balance of the world's ecosystems.
Environmental education whose purpose is to inform on nature's relevant aspects to change people's life styles and to improve behavior as regards the use of natural resources came about. Also, the term ?Education for Conservation? was developed. This term involves issues beyond nature, such as its relationship with mankind, understanding that mankind can not prosper without taking care of nature, as interdependent beings of connected entities.
Lastly, what these two educational currents intend is penetrating into the portion of human conscience, that portion which unconsciously guides behavior. If a bit of respect for the environment is taught, it will not be necessary to ?force? people though laws or punishments, to do some good to the world or nature.
Among the many efforts made by governments, institutions and private parties to reinforce that environmental awareness are environmental campaigns that spread the information in the media and which are addressed sometimes erroneously to minors, under the argument that they are the future of the planet, despite the fact that it is not taken into account whether we adults are making rational use or not of the natural resources. Minors still have a long way to go until they can put into practice that which they are being taught in school; therefore, all of us are users of nature, notwithstanding our age, beliefs, social status, or the work we do.
To exemplify one of the efforts made to increase environmental awareness, it suffices with becoming acquainted with the El Pinacate and Great Altar Desert Biosphere Reserve. As of the moment visitors come into it, they are provided with information on the benefits of having a biosphere reserve containing unequalled natural landscapes, unique Sonoran Desert Plant and animal species, and most of all, a volcanic shield with very special formation features.
Thus, the need to protect the desert as an ecosystem, that is, the biotic environment (landscapes, soil, rocks, sand, water, etc.) is furthered in the visitor's minds, as well as this ecosystem's live or biotic portion (wild plants and animals).
People can also be made aware through a negative message, which actually is the reserve psychological appeal, that is, by showing the damages causes to the environment through photos, videos or models with abhorrent alterations due to misuse and the destruction endured by our planet.
This causes a reaction which forces people to worry about the environment, but we believe that better stimulation can be achieved by convincing and justifying than by creation an emotional shock.
Every day we are being subject to informational stress with unfortunate news and news about ecocides. It would be better for us to change our strategy and further appreciation for nature and the good things it give to us. Let's show the encouraging future we will be able to obtain by using natural resources in a rational and sustained way. Let's enjoy nature and let's not intend to vanquish or appropriate it. That is the daily philosophy we wish to share with our visitors to the El Pinacate and Great Altar Desert Biosphere Reserve.
Author: Steve Schwab
In 1826 the area received the name of Rocky Point from Lieutenant William Hale Hardy, retired officer of the Royal British Navy, while in search of pearls and precious metals during his travels along the coasts of Sonora and Baja California . It was known on navigational charts by this name until 1936. Very near Rocky Point, Mexico a gold mine was discovered, called the Sierra Pinta, which had two different owners between 1850 and 1910. Before ceasing operations, the mine belonged to an English company that had a smelting operation where the gold was converted into bars and sent to San Francisco . This company had constructed a track for carts that went from the mine to the gold processing plant in the estuary of La Pinta.
After being baptized by William Hale Hardy, Rocky Point also called (Puerto Penasco)continued to be a bleak desert spot visited only occasionally by nomadic fishermen on their trips through the sea to the Gulf of Santa Clara or to San Felipe, Baja California, or by brave Arizona sport fishermen who dared to cross the Great Desert without road or trail in order to reach the sea.
THE UNSUCCESSFUL ARIZONA-SONORA RAILROAD PROJECT
Historian Charles J. Gaetjens, from Ajo Arizona, mentions that in 1915, John Campbell Greenway, manager of the mine at Ajo, Arizona, sent engineer Don Rait to carry out studies to establish a railroad from Ajo to Rocky Point along the best rout possible. The goal was to be able to transport the mineral to the coast of the Sea of Cortez , and then to California such as the Sierra Pinta mine had done. Similarly, he sent engineers Ira Joralemon and Ed Malean to Mexico to explore the region and search for minerals to exploit, in order to bring them to Ajo, Arizona not empty handed. The work stopped in 1918 due to the high cost of inflation caused by the First World War.
One year later, in May of 1919, and with his own money, Greenway picked up the project again, sending out four engineers from the Ajo mine. The railroad company was established with the initial capital of 100,000 Mexican pesos.
The partners were John C. Greenway and Dr. Louis D. Ricketts, with a concession from the Mexican Government dated in June 1920. In 1921 the railroad project study from Arizona to Mexico was completed. Several wells were drilled in the desert, one of them 21 kilometers from the coast. By 1925 the company abandoned the project for lack of investors.
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